IN BOOKS AND REAL LIFE 207 



disgust of the young one who fails to grasp the 

 situation. All dogs are born actors, though of 

 course they improve with experience and practice. 

 When preparing to romp, they always try to 

 look more preternaturally solemn, though in the 

 prospect of the impending fun, the laughter will 

 bubble up. 



Honest dogs only go in for acting by way of 

 diversion, but those who have been badly brought 

 up, or bred on short commons in the gutters, cul- 

 tivate hypocrisy as a fine art. The scamps who 

 hang about street corners and live by their wits, 

 have brought the dogs they keep to high perfection. 

 I have been told by a gentleman who sold sausages 

 and mutton pies at a stall in Whitechapel, that the 

 boys were a bother to him, but the dogs were far 

 worse. He always knew that boys meant mischief, 

 and was on the outlook, but there was no dodging 

 the dogs. One hardened criminal, a cross-bred 

 bull-terrier, would sneak up under the stall, wag- 

 ging his tail, a picture of indifference, then when he 

 saw his opportunity, make a spring and a snatch. 

 With dogs like these, of course, a respectable boy 

 has nothing to do, but his own friends of honour- 

 able descent and unexceptionable training may let 

 him in when he least expects it. I have told my 

 terriers that they must stay at home, and they quite 

 understood. Their disappointment, as they sneaked 

 back into the house, apparently renouncing all hope 

 of the expected walk, has so touched me that I 

 have felt inclined to give up the engagement. The 



